2008 Kia Rio

The Rio has been around since the 2006 model year, and there aren't any significant changes to tell you about for 2008. It shares its chassis and mechanicals with the Hyundai Accent.

Power comes from a 1.6 liter inline-four, which produces 110 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. More importantly, however, it returns impressive numbers at the pump, at 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, when hitched to the standard five-speed manual transmission. With the optional four-speed automatic, the numbers change to 25 and 35, respectively. The good fuel economy is no doubt helped by the Rio's flyweight 2,487 lb mass.

Despite its diminutive size, the Rio and its near twin, the Rio5 hatchback, were JD Power and Associates' highest ranked sub-compact cars in initial quality for two years in a row.

There are three trim levels of the Rio: Base, LX and SX. The Base car doesn't even offer a sound system of any kind, even on the options sheet, but it does sport a commendably low price of entry: just $11,515. It rides on 14-inch steel wheels with center caps adorning them. The next step up, the LX, adds full-face plastic covers for those wheels, as well as air-conditioning, tilting steering column, adjustable headrests atop 60/40 split-folding rear seats and a four-speaker AM/FM/CD audio set-up. On top of all that, the SX gets 15-inch alloy wheels, metal-finish trim and pedals, front fog lights, a rear spoiler, sport cloth door and seat trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with gear shift knob. The electronically-controlled automatic is a stand-alone option on the LX and SX only. Other options include tweeters, heated mirrors, power windows, power door locks with remote, and four-wheel ABS with rear discs in place of the standard-issue drums (though they require the $600 Power Package: electrically-operated locks and windows, heated mirrors and tweeters). Carpeted floor mats and a plastic trunk / cargo tray are optional on all three trims. The spoiler can be had for $300 on the Base and LX. On the SX only, buyers have the option to upgrade the wheels to 16 inch alloys for $200. Six airbags are standard equipment across the range.

All of Kia's offerings include a 10-year / 100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty, a 5-year / 60,000 mile limited basic warranty, 5-year / 100,000 mile limited anti-perforation warranty and a 5-year / 60,000 mile 24-hour roadside assistance.